This CD falls under the banner of the New Church Music Foundation. The foundation wants to build bridges in the fragmented landscape of Dutch and Flemish church music. For example, the foundation wants to broaden the audience of church music by organizing events, providing an umbrella website (kerkmuziek.nu) and by releasing CDs. This is one of those CDs, which, ironically, doesn't even sound very
… Dutch. Daniel Rouwkema's music fluctuates pleasantly between Rutter's populism (it is not intended to be derogatory) and Howells' penetrating sound language. For a time Rouwkema even held an ecclesiastical post in Northern Ireland, namely as Master of Music in St George, Belfast. In 2005 he returned to our country, after which he founded the Martini Boys Choir in Groningen, among others. The CD closes with Rouwkema's biggest international hit: the Chester composed A Celtic Prayer, published by Faber in London. (HJ)more
